| News |
| CAOMA and NOMAA to Sponsor EBM Treatment Guidelines Seminar |
| November 5, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA and NOMAA will be sponsoring a seminar on the use of evidence-based treatment guidelines on December 11 in the Los Angeles area. |
| CAOMA to Host Appreciation Dinner for Acupuncture Board |
| November 1, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - An "End of Session Appreciation Dinner" will be held on December 1 to commend the California Acupuncture Board. |
| Dr Marguerite Hung Passes Away |
| October 20, 2005 - Chula Vista, CA - The community of Asian and oriental medicine practitioners suffered a loss today with the passing of Dr. Marguerite Hung. |
| Governor Vetoes Two Acupuncturist Bills |
| October 7, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 1113 (Diagnostic Authority) and AB 1115 (Acupuncture Assistants). |
| Governor Signs Three Acupuncturist Bills |
| October 7, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 1114 (Continuing Education), AB 1117 (Asian Medicine), and SB 248 (Acupuncure Board). |
| Legislative Progress Report - Sept 20 |
| September 20, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA Lobbyist Sandy Carey provides an update on legislative progress. |
| Acupuncture Board EO Reappointed to Position at Arts Council |
| September 16, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Governor Schwarzenegger has reappointed the current Acupuncture Board Executive Officer Marilyn Neilsen as the new deputy director of the Arts Council. |
| SB 248 Passes Legislature |
| September 7, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Assembly and Senate pass bill to to repeal and recreate the Acupuncture Board. |
| Yee Asian Medicine Bills Arrive on Governor's Desk |
| September 7, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The four Yee bills arrived on the Governor's desk one at a time from last Friday until today. |
| SB 248 Amended to Reconstitute California Acupuncture Board |
| September 2, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Senator Figueroa amended the Dental Board legislation to repeal and recreate the Acupuncture Board. |
| 4 Yee Bills Passed by California Legislature |
| August 30, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Four Yee bills passed the Assembly Floor, bringing an end to the Legislature's actions on those bills. |
| CAOMA Agrees to Reconstitution of the Acupuncture Board |
| August 26, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - After meeting with Senator Figueroa, CAOMA agreed to support the reconstitution of the Acupuncture Board. |
| Yee Bills Pass Senate |
| August 25, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Four Yee bills pass Senate Floor with strong bipartisan support. |
| Huge Capitol Rally Draws Hundreds to Demonstrate Support |
| August 22, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - A huge rally organized by CAOMA drew over five hundred acupuncturist supporters to demonstrate their unity and support on the steps of the Capitol building. |
| AB 1113 Passes Senate Appropriations Committee |
| July 11, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - AB 1113 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on a 9-1 vote today. |
| 30-Year Celebration Banquet a Big Success |
| July 10, 2005 - San Francisco, CA - Over 500 supporters attended the 30-year celebration of California acupuncturist licensure. |
| 30-Year Celebration Fast Approaching |
| July 5, 2005 - San Francisco, CA - 30-year celebration expected to be attended by over 500. |
| A Message from CAOMA Lobbyist Sandy Carey |
| June 28, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - A brief note from CAOMA lobbyist Sandy Carey reminding us that our battles are still not over. |
| 4 of 5 Yee Bills Pass Senate Committee |
| June 27, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Four of five Yee bills passed the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee today. |
| AIMS Loses Lobbyist |
| June 24, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Secretary of State reports that former AIMS lobbyist Steve English had terminated lobbying services for AIMS on May 20. |
| San Francisco Celebration Event Planned for July 10 |
| June 22, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Huge event celebrating 30 years of licensure planned for July 10 in San Francisco. |
| Yee Bills Amended, Set for Hearing on June 27 |
| June 15, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - All five Yee bills are set for hearing on June 27 in the Senate with three amended to conform to each other. |
| CAOMA to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Acupuncturist Licensure |
| June 3, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA organizes 30th anniversary celebration of licensure on July 10 with Governor Jerry Brown in San Francisco. |
| CAOMA to Meet with Los Angeles Times Journalist |
| June 2, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA to meet with LA Times political journalist to rebut article. |
| LA Times Unable to Substantiate Claims Against Acupuncture Board |
| May 30, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The Los Angeles Times published an article critical of the California Acupuncture Board and profession. |
| CAOMA and Profession Succeed in Stalling Figueroa Bill |
| May 27, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The letters, calls, faxes, and meetings finally paid off for California's Licensed Acupuncturist profession when SB 233 stalled in committee. |
| Link to: Assemblyman Yee Press Release on Legislation |
| Link to Assemblyman Yee's official press release on Assembly passage of acupuncture legislation. |
| Yee Bills Pass Assembly |
| May 16, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The three remaining Yee bills - AB 1113, AB 1114, and AB 1116, passed the Assembly Floor today. |
| CAOMA Declines SB 233 Proposal, Requests Amendments |
| May 16, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA President Michelle Lau delivered CAOMA's response to Senator Figueroa's office. |
| SB 233 Held in Senate Appropriations Committee |
| May 16, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - SB 233 is being held in the Senate Appropriations Committee pending amendments and a re-determination of its fiascal impact on the State Budget. |
| CAOMA Meets with Senator Figueroa Regarding SB 233 |
| May 11, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA representatives met with Senator Figeuroa today to discuss amending SB 233. |
| Two Yee Bills Leave Assembly without Opposition |
| May 6, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA-Sponsored AB 1115 and AB 1117 passed the Assembly Floor 73-0. |
| Yee Bills Pass Appropriations Committee without Opposition |
| May 5, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - AB 1113, 1114, 1116 pass Assembly Appropriations Committee without opposition. |
| SB 233 Amended to Prohibit Legitimate Diagnoses by Acupuncturists |
| May 4, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - SB 233 was amended with CMA language that effectively prohibits acupuncturists from diagnosing patients' conditions. |
| Senate Confirms Andrea Hoch as Work Comp Director |
| April 28, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Senate Rules Committee confirms Andrea Hoch and Adminstrative Director of the Division of Workers Compensation. |
| Five Victories added to the Two Losses in Committees This Week |
| April 26, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Assembly Committees passes AB 1113, AB 1114, AB 1115, AB 1116, and AB 1117 with support from profession. |
| Senate Committee Denies Profession |
| April 25, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Senate Committee passes SB 233, kills SB 356, ignoring recommendations from the profession. |
| Huge Turnout at Capitol Rally |
| April 25, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - 400-500 acupuncturists, patients, students, and supporters turned out for Anti-SB 233 Rally. |
| CAOMA Organizing State Capitol Rally to Oppose SB 233 |
| April 22, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA organizing largest rally ever to support acupuncture profession. |
| Legislative Alert: Oppose SB 233 |
| April 20, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA is requesting all acupuncturists and supporters to call and fax Senate Committee members to oppose SB 233. |
| Senator Slates Acupuncture Board for Elimination, CAOMA to Fight Back |
| April 18, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - SB 233 was amended by Senator Figueroa to eliminate the California Acupuncture Board as of January 1, 2006. |
| AB 1113 Diagnosis Bill Amended |
| April 14, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - AB 1113 was amended with CAOMA's recommended revisions to state that acupuncturists may "diagnoses within his or her scope of practice," and include Senator Figueroa as co-author. |
| Legislative Committee Produces Flawed Report, Votes to Dump Acupuncture Board |
| April 12, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The Legislative Joint Committee on Boards voted 4-1 to sunset (eliminate) the California Acupuncture Board, based upon issues cited the the Committee's report, many of which have been previously found to be without merit. |
| CAOMA Sponsors Yee Bills, Figueroa Offers to Co-Author AB 1113 |
| April 7, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA submitted letters of sponsorship and support for California Assemblymember Leland Yee's five acupuncture-related bills, AB 1113 - AB 1117, while Senator Figeuroa offered to co-author AB 1113. |
| CAOMA Board Meets with Regulatory and Legislative Reps |
| April 6, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Acupuncture Board Executive Officer and Assemblyman met with CAOMA Board of Directors to discuss legislative and regulatory issues facing acupuncturists in California. |
| CAOMA Meets with Assemblyman Yee to Revise AB 1113 |
| March 30, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA President, Executive Director, and lobbyists met with Assemeblyman Leland Yee and his staff regarding our proposed amendments to AB 1113. |
| Joint Committee Rejects Definition of Primary Care, Cancels Hearing |
| March 29, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The Legislative Joint Committee on Boards, Commissions, and Consumer Protection has rejected the Acupuncture Board's proposal to define "primary health care profession," and has canceled its April 5 public hearing. |
| California Acupuncture Board Adopts Emergency Regulations |
| March 10, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The Acupuncture Board adopted "emergency" regulations to define "primary health care profession," as used in the Acupuncture Licensing Act |
| California Legislators Support Medicare Coverage for Acupuncture |
| February 28, 2005 - Los Angeles, CA - The Los Angeles Daily News reported on support for HR 818 (Hinchey) to include acupuncture in MediCare. |
| California Acupuncture Legislation Introduced for 2005 |
| February 23, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Nine bills exclusively affecting California licensed acupuncturists were introduced in the Legislature. |
| CA Dental Board Vote a Victory for CAOMA |
| January 28, 2005 - San Diego, CA - CAOMA Vice President An York Lee delivered keynote testimony on behalf of CAOMA to the California Dental Board opposing a reduction in acupuncture certification standards for dentist. |
| CAOMA Opposes Dental Board Plan to Reduce Acupuncture Training |
| January 24, 2005 - San Diego, CA - CAOMA President Michelle Lau and Executive Director Brian Fennen submitted a letter to the California Dental Board opposing a reduction in acupuncture certification standards for dentist. |
| Additional Testimony to CA Dental Board |
| January 28, 2005 - San Diego, CA - Acupuncturist Marc Sklar presented oral testimony to the California Dental Board opposing a reduction in acupuncture certification standards for dentist. |
| CAOMA Opposes Governor's Plan to Eliminate Acupuncture Board |
| January 28, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA President Michelle Lau provided oral testimony and Executive Director Brian Fennen provided written testimony to California's Little Hoover Commission to oppose Governor Schwartzenegger's unfounded proposal to eliminate healthcare licensing boards. |
| CAOMA Testifies Before Legislative Board Review Committee |
| January 4, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA President Michelle Lau and Executive Director Brian Fennen provided core professional testimony to the California Joint Committee on Boards, Commissions, and Consumer Protection regarding status of Acupuncture Board and scope of practice issues. |
| South Baylo University Moves Forward with Regional Accreditation |
| January 31, 2005 - Los Angeles, CA - South Baylo University announces plans for National Oriental Medicine Accredation Agency and Western Association of Schools and Colleges site visits in prepartition for expanded accrediation status. |
| CAOMA Hires New Lobbyist for Sacramento |
| January 1, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA's new lobbyists, Sandy Carey and Art Krause, are ready to go for 2005. |
| 2004 News |
| South Baylo University Approved for Doctoral Program |
| December 16, 2004 - Los Angeles, CA - South Baylo University announced that the National Oriental Medicine Accredation Agency (NOMAA) has approved plans for SBU to offer a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (OMD) degree program. |
| CAOMA Provides Professional Testimony at Workers Compensation Hearing |
| December 14, 2004 - San Francisco, CA - CAOMA President Michelle Lau provided oral testimony accompanying more detailed recommendations authored by CAOMA Executive Director Brian Fennen in professional testimony to the Administrative Director of the California Division of Workers Compensation. |
| CAOMA Board Reviews Accomplishments |
| November 20, 2004 - Los Angeles, CA - The CAOMA Board of Directors reviewed it numerous 2004 accomplishments. |
| 2003 News |
| 2003 California News Summaries |
| 2003 California News Summaries. |
| CCAOM Paid $63,000 to Lobbyist to Oppose California's Acupuncturists |
| October 15, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) paid over $63,000 during 2002-2003 to a lobbyist firm to counter efforts of California's licensed acupuncturists to improve the profession. |
| Partial Ephedra Ban Signed into Law |
| October 12, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - Governor Gray Davis signed into law Senator Jackie Speier's Senate Bill 582 that will prohibit the sale or distribution of dietary supplement products containing ephedrine group alkaloids to the general public. |
| Governor Signs Workers Compensation Overhaul Legislation |
| Sept. 30 - Sacraments - Governor Gray Davis signed SB 228 into law as the first major Workers Compensation legislation in a decade. |
| Governor Jerry Brown Testifies to Little Hoover Commission |
| Sept. 25 - Sacramento - Former Governor Jerry Brown testifies that the bills he signed in the 1970s authorized acupuncturists to diagnose. |
| ACAOM Commissioner's Testimony Contradicts Historical Record |
| September 25, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - Dr. Steve Rosenblatt, MD, LAc, a commissioner of the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, provided a very personal account of the history of acupuncture licensure in California which was contradicted by historical fact and again today by testimony from former Governor Jerry Brown. |
| Ephedra Bill Amended Again |
| September 2, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - Senator Jackie Speier amended SB 582 to prohibit California licensed health care practitioners from prescribing or dispensing ephedrine-containing dietary supplements for the purposes of weight loss, body building, or athletic performance, based partly upon recommendations from CAOMA. |
| CAOMA Provides Testimony to the Little Hoover Commission |
| August 27, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - Representing California's Licensed Acupuncturists, CAOMA Presdient Michelle Lau and Executive Director Brian Fennen testified before the Little Hoover Commission, recommending that the profession be granted the licensed title of "Doctor of Oriental Medicine" in order to better describe our practice and tradition, and that educational standards gradually be raised to 4000 hours.. |
| Workers Compensation Bills Gutted |
| July 14 - Sacraments - With over fifty Workers Compensation Bills competing in the 2003 Legislature, and with employers crying for relief from increasing insurance premiums, SB 228 and other surviving Workers Compensation bills were gutted and send to a joint Assembly-Senate Conference Committee for resolution. |
| Legislative Committee Proposes Workers Compensation Overhaul |
| Sept. 9 - Sacraments - After a month of meetings, and with employers demanding relief from rising insurance premiums, SB 228 was amended to eliminate the Industrial Medical Council, and to leave most decisions to the Adminstrative Director of the Workers Compensation Division. |
| California Legislative Alert - July 2, 2003 |
| July 2, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - Republicans propose to eliminate acupuncture from Medi-Cal; naturopathic doctor legislation amended to exclude the practice of Oriental medicine; ephedra bill amended. |
| Naturopaths Agree to Restrictions, Ephedra Bill Moves On |
| July 1, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - The naturopathic doctor legislation was amended to exclude the practice of Oriental medicine; and the ephedra prohibition bill amended. |
| Ephedra Bill Exemptions Clarified |
| June 20, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - Communications with staff of Senator Jackie Speier clarified that she has no intention of removing the exemption from labeling requirements for ephedrine alkaloid containg products. |
| Ephedra Legislation Amended |
| June 16 - Sacramento, CA - Senator Jackie Speier amended SB 582 to exempt "licensed health care practitioners" at the request of CAOMA and organizations representing other health care professions. |
| Senator Alarcon Amends SB 228 |
| April 29, 2003 - After meeting with representatives of the CAOMA-organized Coalition for Fairness in SB 228, Senator Alarcon removed reference to Medi-Cal fee schedule for most Workers Compensation services, allowing the administrative director of the Division of Workers Compensation to determine fees not established by MediCare. |
| Coalition for Fairness in SB 228 Meets with Senator Alarcon |
| April 15, 2003 - CAOMA arranged a meeting between representatives for the Coalition for Fairness in SB 228 and Senator Alarcon. Results of meeting are promising, with Senator Alarcon agreeing to remove reference to Medi-Cal fee schedule, and to continue working with acupuncturists tofurther amend SB 228. |
| CAOMA Forms Coalition for Fairness in SB 228 |
| April 10 2003 - After organizing a coalition of professional acupuncturist associations to oppose SB 228, CAOMA requested a meeting with Senator Alarcon at his district office in Van Nuys. |
| Legislative Alert - Workers Compensation Fee Schedule Threatened! |
| April 1,2003 - Senate Bill 228 to be amended to adopt MediCare and Medi-Cal fee schedules for Workers Compensation, lowering acupuncture services by up to 78%! |
| John Burton Re-introdues Workers Compensation Bill |
| February 21 - Sacramento, CA - Senator John Burton re-introdued CAOMA's bill to remove the prohibition agsint disability determinations by acupuncturists for injured workers, as SB 867. |
| Judy Chu Introduces Herb Certification Legislation |
| February 18 - Sacramento, CA - Assemblywoman Judy Chu re-introduced CAOMA's Asian herb certifcation legislation, as AB 573. |
| CCAOM Lobby Firm Paid $45,000 in 2002 to Control Educational Improvements |
| February 15, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - Working in concert with ACAOM and NCCAOM, the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) paid over $45,000 during 2002 to for a lobbyist to oppose legislation sponsored by California's licensed acupuncturists |
| 2002 California News Summaries |
| California Legislation Pages |